Elderly Taunton Man Charged with Murder in Wife's Shooting Death

Update (11:52 a.m. Wednesday) — Silveira has been medically cleared for release and is being held without bail in Rhode Island. His next court date is set for Sept. 9.

TAUNTON — The 86-year-old Taunton man accused of shooting his wife to death Sunday night has officially been charged with murder.

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn announced the upgraded charges Wednesday.

Edmund Silveira was initially charged with assault and battery with a firearm as the shooting was being investigated, according to Quinn's office.

Just before 9 p.m. on Sunday evening, Taunton Police were called to 881 Bay Street for a reported shooting outside the home.

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First responders found a female victim — later identified as 71-year-old Dianne Silveira — suffering from serious injuries in the driveway.

She was rushed to Morton Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 9:23 p.m.

The suspect, Edmund Silveira, allegedly fled back inside the home the couple had shared after the shooting.

A SWAT Team and crisis negotiatiors were called to aid in the following standoff.

Eventually, a tactical robot entered the house and found the suspect unconscious.

Silveira was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital for several wounds to his wrist and neck, which appeared to be self-inflicted knife wounds, according to the district attorney's office.

The defendant remains hospitalized and will not be arraigned until he is medically cleared.

State Police detectives assigned to the district attorney's office, Homicide Unit prosecutors and Taunton Police investigated the case.

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